castigate refrigerate: July 2013

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

North Pole not flooded -- but lots of melting in the Arctic

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Widespread media reports of a lake at the North Pole don't hold water -- but scientists who deployed the monitoring buoys are watching closely as Arctic sea ice approaches its yearly minimum.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/MeyKE2ijyVc/130730163142.htm

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Is This the New Vajazzle? London Colorist Now Offers ?Downstairs Dye? Job

via LikeGIF

Just when it feels like any other normal Wednesday, you come across something that makes you look at the world a little bit differently. Listen to this: London colorist Alex Brownsell of Bleach salon is now offering a ?downstairs dye? job, which is exactly what it sounds like. Yes, in an inspiring move people have started dyeing the hair down there to match their manes, a true show of dedication and one-up to past trends like Vajazzling, geometric shapes and the archaic bikini wax.

According to Brownsell, her salon, Bleach, offers multicolor, tie-dye and leopard print styles among others, which is a pretty big range given how much they have to work with. Beyond the practically endless options and learning that it?s pretty much painless, we?d rather not think about the details.

We live by the ?to each their own? motto, so if this feels like your thing, get ready: Bleach is coming out with their own line of products in October, and Brownsell?s hoping to open a New York location by the end of the year. Whether or not they?ll offer downstairs dye jobs is undetermined, so you?ve got some time to make up your mind. One thing to think about, though: What about the roots?

Image via Istock

[The Cut]

Source: http://beautyhigh.com/vajazzle-bikini-area-hair-dye/

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RE: Taken With Force

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[1 ROLE LEFT!] Two girls and two guys are kidnapped and held hostage in a dreary cellar without knowing why and without knowing where. Can they survive on their kidnappers whims of insanity and violence?

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Florida Derby Winner Take Charge Indy Retired

Updated: Monday, July 29, 2013 4:07 PM
Posted: Monday, July 29, 2013 1:46 PM

Photo: Reed Palmer Photography/Churchill Downs

Take Charge Indy

WinStar Farm announced that grade I winner and millionaire Take Charge Indy?? has been retired from racing after surgery to repair his left foreleg resulting from an injury sustained in the July 28 Monmouth Cup (gr. II). The son of A.P. Indy will stand at WinStar Farm for the 2014 breeding season.

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens said he heard a "loud pop" when 3-5 favorite Take Charge Indy was leading the field by?1 1/2 lengths through a :47.43 half-mile. He quickly eased the 4-year-old.

"I was on the lead with a big smile on my face. He was cruising. The only question was how much would he win by," Gary Stevens said.

Digital radiographs revealed a condylar fracture of Take Charge Indy's left foreleg and he was immediately shipped to nearby Hogan Equine. Dr. Patty Hogan successfully performed a 30-minute procedure on Take Charge Indy the morning of July 29, with WinStar reporting he came out of the surgery in good condition.

"It's unbelievable how classy this horse is," Hogan said in a WinStar release. "The surgery went very well. He's a super patient."

Trained by Patrick Byrne for Chuck and Maribeth Sandford and WinStar, Take Charge Indy retired with a record of three wins and six placings from 14 starts and earnings of $1,103,496.

"We purchased Take Charge Indy because of his gene pool. Considering he might be the last great son of A.P. Indy, his mother winning three grade I's, and he being a grade I winner as well, we feel he has a tremendous chance at stud," said WinStar Farm president and CEO Elliott Walden. "When I first went to see him, I thought I was looking at A.P. Indy himself."

In the biggest victories of his career, Take Charge Indy won the 2012 Florida Derby (gr. I) and this year's Alysheba Stakes (gr. II). The colt also finished second in the Clark Handicap (gr. I), Skip Away Stakes (gr. III) and Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. III), and was third in the Donn Handicap (gr. I) and Fayette Stakes (gr. II).
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Source: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/79726/florida-derby-winner-take-charge-indy-retired?source=rss

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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

India becomes largest overseas tourist market for Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, UAE - Indian and Russian guests are the new toast of the capital.

While domestic tourists still form the biggest pool of clients for the emirate, India is the largest overseas market for Abu Dhabi.

India toppled the United Kingdom, which was the largest market in first half of 2012. More than 80,000 Indian guests stayed in Abu Dhabi's hotels in the first half of the year, a 22 per cent rise on the same period last year.

They stayed an average of 4.17 nights. More than 78,000 Britons stayed in the emirate's hotels from January to June, followed by Germany with 62,000 guests.

In the first half of the year, Russians stayed the longest in the emirate's hotels, checking in for about six nights, a 6 per cent increase over the same period last year.

The number of visitors from Russia was, however, smaller than those from Germany and the United Kingdom with a little more than 13,000.

"We are benefiting from increased destination awareness in India following the opening a year ago of a dedicated promotions office there and also of increased air access from the country following Etihad Airways' equity stake in Jet Airways and the move by the Indian carrier of its Middle East hub to Abu Dhabi," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, the director general of Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) Abu Dhabi, which yesterday released data for the first half of the year.

Air traffic from Abu Dhabi airport to India grew by 18 per cent between January and June this year over the same period last year, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) said yesterday. It was followed by traffic to Saudi Arabia, Germany, Thailand and the UK.

For the Thai hotel group Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas, which has four properties in Abu Dhabi, the Russian and Indian markets remain potential growth areas.

"We are aiming for a pickup in growth towards the end of summer, which should be in response to all our public relations and sales efforts," said Nancy Nusrally, the area public relations manager of the hotel group in Abu Dhabi.

"With the recent launch on Sir Bani Yas Island, we are aiming for greater response from the Russian market who are known to target beach resorts."

The top source markets for the chain in Abu Dhabi remain the domestic market, Germany, the UK, France, Australia and Holland.

Overall, the emirate recorded an increase of 12 per cent in the number of guests staying in its 145 hotels and hotel apartments for the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.

Abu Dhabi also announced plans to meet growing demand from cruise ship passengers.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Eturbonews-TravelAndTourismIndustryNews/~3/TeZavmbvntk/india-becomes-largest-overseas-tourist-market-abu-dhabi

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Monday, July 29, 2013

U.S., Japan Seek to Calm Asia Territorial Tensions

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Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323610704578629862418432322.html?mod=rss_about_china

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Former coach: Paterno said Penn State mishandled Sandusky case

HARRISBURG, Pa. ? Longtime Penn State head coach Joe Paterno said that the university mishandled its response to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal, a former assistant coach testified Monday.

Mike McQueary was called as a witness in a hearing for three former Penn State officials accused in a cover-up of the scandal. He told the judge that the late Hall of Fame coach had told him over the years that ?Old Main screwed up? ? referring to university administrators ? in response to the allegations against Sandusky.

Former Penn State president Graham Spanier, retired university vice president Gary Schultz and ex-athletic director Tim Curley are accused of failing to tell police about a sexual abuse allegation involving Sandusky and then trying to cover it up. They have proclaimed their innocence.

McQueary testified about a specific exchange in the week before Paterno?s firing in November 2011.

He recalled the head coach as saying that the school would come down hard on McQueary and try to make him a scapegoat. Paterno advised McQueary not to trust the administration or then-university counsel Cynthia Baldwin, the former assistant coach testified.

A Penn State spokesman said Monday the university would not comment on the legal proceedings. The Associated Press left a message for a Paterno family spokesman.

The hearing, which could last several days, began Monday after being delayed for months because of a legal dispute about the role played in the case by Baldwin, who had accompanied the administrators to their grand jury appearances.

The judge must determine whether there?s enough evidence against the ex-officials to send the case to trial. The three are charged with perjury, obstruction, endangering the welfare of children, failure to properly report suspected abuse and conspiracy. Those charges include allegations of hiding evidence from investigators and lying to a grand jury.

McQueary has testified that he saw Sandusky and a boy engaged in a sex act in the locker room shower 2001 and within days reported it to Paterno, Curley and Schultz.

Curley and Schultz have said McQueary never reported that the encounter was sexual in nature, while Spanier has said Curley and Schultz never told him about any sort of sex abuse of a boy. They said they had believed that Sandusky and the boy were engaged in nothing more than horseplay.

Sandusky is serving a 30- to 60-year prison sentence after being convicted last year of sexually abusing 10 boys. He maintains his innocence.

Curley and Schultz were charged in November 2011, when Sandusky was arrested, and accused of perjury and failure to report.

Spanier was forced out as president at that time, and he was charged a year later when more counts were added against Curley and Schultz. He remains a faculty member on administrative leave.

Paterno died in January 2012. His family has vehemently denied accusations that he covered up allegations against Sandusky, the once highly-regarded defensive coordinator.

Source: http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nation-and-world/former-coach-paterno-said-penn-state-mishandled-sandusky-case

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2013 Ford Taurus SEL FWD - $25,995

Interior Colour Charcoal
Exterior Colour ? Red
Category Sedan
Doors 4-door
Engine 6-cylinder
Drive Type Front Wheel Drive

"Active Demo milage may vary!
Sale Price plus Admin Fee ($389) licensing and all applicable taxes."

Safety
- Fog Lights
- Security System
- Traction Control
- Heated Mirrors
- Side Curtain Airbags
- 3 Point Rear Seat Belts
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
- Air Bags: Driver Safety Air Bag
- Air Bags: Passenger Safety Air Bags
- Brakes: Anti-Lock Brake System
- Head Restraint
- Brakes: 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
- Air Bags: Side Safety Air Bags
- Locks: Child-Proof Rr Dr
Exterior
- Tinted Glass
- Daytime Running Lights
- Rear Spoiler
- TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
- Tires: Compact Spare
- Body: Sedan
- Tires: Performance
Convenience
- Cruise Control
- tilt steering
- Intermittent Wipers
- Block Heater
- VANITY MIRRORS
- Cup Holders: Front
- Cup Holders: Rear
- Floor Console
- Map Light
- Compass & Temperature Gauge
- Floor Mats: OEM
- Floor Mats: Carpet
- Telescopic Steering Wheel
- 1 or more Remote
- Mirror with Compass & Temperature
- Center Console
- Roof Console

Comfort
- Keyless Entry
- Climate: Air Conditioning
- Rear Headrests
Media / Nav / Comm
- Tachometer
- Trip Odometer
- STEERING WHEEL AUDIO CONTROLS
- Digital clock
- Media: AM/FM Radio Tuner
- Media: Compact Disc Player
- Media: MP3
- Media: Satellite Radio Enabled
- Media: Premium Sound System
- Media: DVD
Suspension
Seating
- Seat(s): Fold Up
- Seat(s): Center Arm Rest
- Upholstery: Leather
- Height Adjustable Seats
- Seat(s): Heated
- Seat(s): Power
- Seat(s): Memory
- Seat(s): Front Bucket
- Seat(s): Power Lumbar
- Seat(s): 60/40 Split Bench - Rear
- ISOFIX Seat Anchors
Power Options
- Power: Brakes
- Power: Steering
- Power: Mirrors
- Power: Locks
- Power: Windows
- Power: Trunk
- Power: Pedals

Powertrain
Windows
Additional Features
- Backup Sensor
- Bluetooth
- DUAL EXHAUST
- Navigation System
- Interior Trunk Release
- homelink
- GPS
- Flex Fuel
- Chrome Wheel Accessories
- Rear Parking Assist
- Driver Information Centre
- CUSTOM WHEELS
- Door(s): Keyless Entry
- Odometer: Digital
- Coolant Temp Gauge
- Moon Roof
- 19" Alloy Wheels
- Safety Rear Backup Camera
- Transmission: 6-Speed

Type your address in the From input box for turn-by-turn directions!

The finance application will open in a new window!

Source: http://www.carpages.ca/used-cars/ontario/stouffville/2013-ford-taurus-1290878/

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Possible Hate Crime in Washington after robbers state "This is for Trayvon Martin"

Stream Fox 17 newscasts LIVE starting with TN Mornings at 5 am and News at 9 pm.

(CNN) -- A weekend robbery in a racially diverse neighborhood of Washington may have been a hate crime, police said.

"This is for Trayvon Martin," one of the three black men told a white man as they approached him early Saturday, according to Washington Metropolitan Police Officer Anthony Clay.

The alleged robbery happened two weeks after a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman in the 2012 death of African-American teenager Trayvon Martin.

The men kicked the adult white male as they took his iPhone and wallet, Clay said Sunday. The man, who has not been publicly identified, suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment, he said.

There have been no arrests, but police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, he said. It happened in the Adams Morgan neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of the nation's capital.

Follow us on Twitter @wztv_fox17 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates.Possible Hate Crime in Washington after robbers state "This is for Trayvon Martin"

Sunday, July 28 2013, 05:19 PM CDT

Troops provide free medical care in KY, TN
July 28, 2013 22:35 GMT

PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) -- Licensed medical professionals serving in the military are on a mission to provide free medical care to residents in western Kentucky and Tennessee.

The Paducah Sun reports (http://bit.ly/15ppIjQ ) that a program called Innovative Readiness Training provides medical screening, non-emergency medical treatment, minor lab tests, optometry exams and free glasses.

Services also include prescription assistance services, educational information and dental exams.

The program wrapped up a deployment in Martin, Tenn., on July 17. More than 3,200 patients received services ranging from general health and optical care to oral care in Martin.

The program will begin taking patients Aug. 5 in Mayfield, Ky. The mission also will visit Hayti, Mo., Dyersburg, Tenn., and Blytheville, Ark.

The mission is part of a partnership with the Delta Regional Authority and the Department of Defense.

Information from: The Paducah Sun, http://www.paducahsun.com

Source: http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wztv_possible-hate-crime-washington-after-robbers-state-trayvon-martin-19227.shtml?wap=0

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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Church of England Queried About Investing in Porn

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Saturday, July 27, 2013

The Chernobyl Disaster | Survivors.

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Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

A supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood holds a mask of ousted president Mohammed Morsi during a rally near Rabaa Adawiya square in Cairo on Friday.

Hundreds of thousands of people took part in rival political rallies in various Egyptian cities on Friday and the violence continued into the night.

Both supporters of the army and Morsi backers had announced they would be protesting Friday and warned there could be bloodshed. Army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged Egyptians earlier in the week to hold rallies to give the military a ?mandate? to confront weeks of violence caused by his July 3 overthrow of Morsi, Reuters reported.

"Sisi out! Morsi is president! Down with the army!" a gigantic crowd of Morsi protesters, who were holding a sit-in protests around?Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque, chanted, reported the BBC.

Morsi, who was elected by a narrow margin in June 2012 in the country's first democratic vote, has been hidden from the public since he was ejected from power. On Friday, Mena news agency reported he would be detained for 15 days while a judge investigated allegations against him. This is his first formal detention since he was ousted, Al Jazeera reported.

Hussein Malla / AP

Days of massive protests and a military ultimatum forced the country's first democratically elected president from office.

According to Reuters, the probe stems from charges that he conspired with Palestinian Islamist group Hamas to escape jail during the 2011 uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak, killing prisoners and officers, kidnapping soldiers, and lighting buildings on fire.

"At the end of the day, we know all of these charges are nothing more than the fantasy of a few army generals and a military dictatorship," Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad said. "We are continuing our protests on the streets."

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the U.S. was "deeply concerned" by reports that Morsi had been ordered to be detained for more than two weeks.

"We of course are deeply concerned by reports that an Egyptian court has ordered the detention of Mr. Morsi," she said. "I can't speak to the specific charges, but we do believe that it is important that there be a process to work towards his release. Clearly this process should respect the personal security of him and take into account the volatile political situation in Egypt, and that's where our focus is."

A Reuters witness said thousands of pro-Morsi activists clashed with pro-army protesters in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, with some demonstrators hurling stones down on the crowds from nearby rooftops.

The army has warned it will ?turn its guns? on those who use violence in the protests, Reuters reported, while the Brotherhood has said civil war is a possibility.

On Friday morning, several hundred pro-army supporters gathered in Tahrir Square, the central rallying place two years ago for Egyptians. By night, after the evening prayer marking the end of the day?s Ramadan fast, the crowd had grown to tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, in the square, according to the BBC.

A banner across one entrance to Tahrir Square read, "The people, the source of all power, mandate the army and police to purge terrorism," the BBC said.

Pro-army demonstrations were planned throughout Egypt. Morsi backers had also announced a large amount of rallies, with 34 in the Cairo area alone, Reuters said.

Hassan Ammar / AP

Egyptian soldiers stand guard atop an armored personnel vehicle on a bridge that leads to Tahrir Square on Friday.

UN leader Ban Ki-moon called on Egyptians to protest peacefully and asked the interim leadership to ensure security, reported Al Jazeera.

But casualties appeared likely after a month in which nearly 200 people, mostly supporters of Morsi, have died, according to Al Jazeera.?

The West has become increasingly alarmed by the course the country of 84 million people has taken. Washington this week said it delayed delivery of four F-16 fighter jets to Cairo and called on the Egyptian army to exercise "maximum restraint and caution" during Friday's rallies," reported Reuters.

The U.S. has not made a determination on whether a military coup took place in Egypt, which avoids a decision on whether U.S. aid should be cut off to Egypt.

"It is not in our national interest to make such a determination," State Department spokeswoman Psaki said on Friday, adding the law didn't require that a formal determination be made.?

If the administration were to determine a coup had occurred when Morsi was ousted, the $1.5 billion of military and economic assistance the U.S. provides Egypt would be required by law to stop.?

NBC's Catherine Chomiak and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related:?

This story was originally published on Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:51 PM EDT

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/663309/s/2f394b23/sc/20/l/0Lworldnews0Bnbcnews0N0C0Inews0C20A130C0A70C260C196920A0A70Edozens0Ekilled0Eas0Eegypt0Esecurity0Eforces0Eclash0Ewith0Emorsi0Esupporters0Ein0Ecairo0Dlite/story01.htm

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A gaming performance comparison review of the Sony Xperia Z vs. iPhone 5 iOS 7 can be seen at the top of the page and this insightful video is around 17 minutes in length.

Despite the iPhone now being regarded as an old phone the gaming aspect is still pretty impressive, but like we have seen in many gaming comparison videos the iPhone?s small screen can be less attractive to those who prefer a bigger screen for playing games.

In a recent article we discussed both the Sony Xperia Z vs. Xperia SP when it comes to specs and features, and highlighted the positive response surrounding the durable Xperia Z, expecting the Xperia SP will also be welcomed by consumers.

Pitting the two models against each other the specs and features get a good going over, as well as the overall design, display and performance. The end verdict mentioned the rugged high-end device which is the Xperia Z coming with faultless performance, while the mid-range Xperia SP is regarded as an impressive iteration of solid build quality with a decent battery life.

Source: http://www.product-reviews.net/2013/07/24/iphone-5-with-ios-7-beta-3-vs-sony-xperia-z/

Google has just finished their big breakfast event and one of the highlights for Apple users is Chromecast, a $35 HDMI dongle that turns any TV into a receiver for YouTube, Netflix, and potentially other services that adopt the API. It seems like Apple's AirPlay, but has some benefits and drawbacks all its own. Here's what Phil Nickinson from Android Central had to say:

YouTube, Google Play Music ? all available through Chromecast and accessed through your phone. You can set up a queue of videos to play while still use your phone for other tasks. Browse, take phonecalls, check e-mail ? whatever you need to do. Streaming is handled from the Chromecast ? not from your phone. And Netflix? No problem.

As for those drawbacks, first, it's "cross-platform" as in "works with iOS and Android, and the [in this case Chrome] browser". Other desktop browsers, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone, so far, need not apply. That's increasingly the case with Google, which makes me kinda wish they'd find a new, more honest word for it like "select-platforms". Apple and AirPlay only work with iOS and OS X, of course, which is worse from a supported platform perspective, but you absolutely know that going in.

Second, whenever someone talks about device independence, it means they're selling service dependence. It's the same old yarn from Flash, where it can run everywhere, but you become locked into Adobe's ecosystem. Likewise, Chromecast looks like it'll support a wide range of devices, but you'll be locked into Google API for doing so. No such thing as a free-as-in-speech or free-as-in-beer lunch.

All that aside, the price is killer, and you use iOS or Chrome on OS X, and the services you care most about are YouTube, Netflix, and other Google and partner offerings, Chromecast might be a great option for you.

If you're Apple-only, AirPlay, especially with AirPlay mirroring, and an Apple TV look like they're still a far better option (especially considering Apple TV has built-in, native YouTube and Netflix channels.)

I'll be getting one, though. Anyone else?

Source: Google Play via Android Central

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/xYa6W4ou3E4/story01.htm

Dear Lifehacker,
I never know how much I should spend on gifts, particularly ones for odd, special occasions such as weddings or baby showers. I don?t want to look stingy but I also don?t want to go broke after all these events. What?s a normal amount to spend on gifts?

Signed,
Guessing Gifter

Dear Guessing,
Giving gifts is harder than it sounds, isn?t it? Throughout the year, people you know will be celebrating weddings, housewarmings, pregnancies, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, engagements, and other special occasions?in addition to the winter holidays, probably. If you celebrate with them, you?ve got to determine for each one how much you?ll spend on a present or give as a cash gift.

While there are no hard-and-fast rules for gift giving, we dug up some guidelines so you can set up a gift budget and wonder no more about the ?going rate? of gifts for different occasions. Here?s what you should consider.

General Gift Amount Recommendations

How much to spend will depend on three things: Your budget, the particular occasion, and your relationship with the recipient.

What are you comfortable giving? Don?t feel like you have to spend a set amount just because that?s how much others spend (or others have spent on you in the past). Gifts and etiquette author Leah Ingram says:

My advice has always been this: spend or give what you feel comfortable giving. For some folks $25 is more than enough for a high school or college graduation gift whereas others may feel that because of a close relationship or simply because they earn a higher salary, $75 or more might be a gift you feel more comfortable giving.

What if you?d like to spend a little less or you don?t want to give money as a gift? Well, you can always go in on a gift with someone else to split the cost. And then you can put together a ?tangible? gift that fits the occasion.

How important or unique is this occasion? You?ll probably spend more on a wedding gift for a couple than for a housewarming gift because of the (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime nature of weddings.

How close are you to the recipient? Budget more for your significant other, family members, and close friends. Wired suggests you set a total gift budget and then rank each person you need a gift for in importance from one to ten. Then use this very logical gift budget formula (geared towards the holidays but appropriate year-round):

Sum all the people, multiplied by their ranks. It should look something like this 10(wife)+8(kid1)+8(kid2)+3(dad)+3(mom)+1(in-laws)+4(nephew)=37(total)

Set your total equal to your budget: 37(total)=$500 Solve for (total): total=$13.50

Multiply this ?total? by each person?s importance to see how much you should spend.

In this example [with a $500 budget], your wife gets 1013.5=$135, and your kids get 813.5=$108.

Okay, you don?t have to get as geeky and precise as that, but just remember that an appropriate gift depends most on what you?re comfortable giving and your relationship with the other person.

Below are customary gift amounts for more specific situations.

Wedding Gifts

With wedding registries, you?d think selecting a wedding gift would be easy, but it isn?t always. Registry choices can include everything from a toothbrush holder to a flat screen TV. (And sometimes all that?s left is the $100 kitchen trash can.) Don't feel bad about skipping the registry and just giving cash. An American Express survey found that 52% of those getting married preferred cash, 12% wanted gift cards, and 18% preferred a gift from their registry (versus the 35% of people who give gifts from the registry).

As for how much to spend:

Wedding guests say they?ll spend an average of $108 on gifts, up 15% from 2012. Not all gifts are created equal, however, and consumers will weigh factors like relationship to the bride or groom (45%) and budget at the time of the wedding (33%) before deciding how much to spend. For close family members, the average cost for a gift shoots up to $179, while co-workers will only reap $66 on average.

Attending a wedding can be expensive (costing $539 on average, including gifts, travel, and clothing), especially if you?re in the wedding party, so you should factor in those costs too. Wedding site The Knot says you should break down your budgeted amount across the many wedding events:

Spend:

20% of your total on the engagement present
20% of your total on the shower gift
60% of your total on the wedding gift
That means if you?re spending $250 total, you?d spend $50 each on the engagement and shower, and $150 on the wedding present. (If you?re only invited to the shower, then spend the extra 20% beefing up the wedding gift.)

Finally, don't feel like you have to fall into the "cover your plate" trap (where your gift covers the couple's cost of hosting you at the reception). Your gift shouldn't be the cost of admission to the wedding, but rather a token of your affection and support.

Gifts for Showers

Brides-to-be and expecting parents can also expect to be showered with gifts. Again, how much to spend depends on how close you are to the person. The consensus on Baby Center suggests: $20-$25 for a co-worker or acquaintance, $50 for a close friend, or $100 for a best friend or family member.

Gifts for Kids

Buying a gift for a child has a number of other considerations, whether the present is for your own kid or someone else?s.

The first factor is age. Preteens and teens are more likely to want or expect pricier gifts (ack, new iPhone! or designer jeans) than toddlers. Big City Moms says:

A good rule of thumb is the younger the child the less you need to spend. A one year old will be just as happy with a squeaking duck as a princess costume. Try to think more about the actual gift and not get stuck on the dollar amount. If you know that 2 year old Ava loves to dress up, it won?t matter if you get her $15 sparkly shoes or a $40 tutu and her parents will appreciate your thoughtfulness either way.

LearnVest suggests you spend a little more for close friends than you would for regular classmates (a good thing, since kids? birthday parties seem to come by the dozen). $10 to $20 is fine for regular classmates or $20 to $25 for your child's closest friends.

One mom on the Berkeley Parents Network said these birthday parties offer lessons on budgeting and smart shopping for kids too. By limiting the gift budget to $12, it forces the child to think creatively about the gift.

For your own kids, there?s no magic number, but besides your budget, also consider how often you purchase gifts for them during the year. Beware, LearnVest warns, of ?gift creep?: The feeling just one present isn?t enough since other kids are getting so many. The best advice: Whether you buy gifts for many occasions throughout the year or one large gift on birthdays, do whatever works best for your family and budget.

And then there are the rites of passage kids go through that you?ll celebrate with a gift. For sweet sixteens, first communions, bar mitzvahs, and graduations, cash is king. In a survey by the National Retail Federation, 56.7% of respondents said they planned to give high school and college graduates cash and 32.1% said they?d give gift cards. The average amount: $49 per recipient.

Housewarming or Hostess Gifts

Unlike the occasions above, housewarming and hostess gifts are less obligatory, but they?re very thoughtful gestures. If you decide to welcome a person or couple into a new home or thank them for letting you use their spare bedroom, a well-chosen home-related present is usually better than a cash gift.

Because of that, very inexpensive gifts are totally appropriate. A cheese board for your foodie friends, a potted plant that?s easy to care for, and personalized DIY gifts are great for these occasions. If you want to give a gift card instead, About.com?s Interior Decorating site suggests $20 is a decent amount:

This one can be a bit tricky but a gift card to a home store can be a terrific housewarming gift. Sometimes giving gifts with dollar amounts attached to them can be a bit uncomfortable so it?s probably best only to do this with people you know fairly well. When it comes to the value give an amount that?s approximately the same as what you would spend on a vase or book. Make sure it?s enough so they can purchase a small trinket of some sort. $20 is always a decent amount but you can feel free to go higher or lower depending on the situation.

Don?t Sweat the Amount

Whatever the occasion, no matter how much (or little) you spend on a gift, remember that it really is the thought that counts. Most recipients will appreciate your presence at a celebration, rather than the value of your presents.

Love,
Lifehacker

Photos by ewen and donabel, Counselman Collection .

Source: http://lifehacker.com/how-much-money-should-i-spend-on-gifts-for-different-oc-910350337

24 July 2013 by Jessica Boston

If you are looking for a family holiday in the Vendee, then take a look at our Top 10 Recommendations to get the most from your stay, and have a fabulous holiday that everyone enjoys!

1.???? Get thee to a monastery!

The Vendee region has a rich religious history and there are several abbeys and monasteries to explore. The Abbaye de Maillezais is a well preserved Benedictine abbey that dates from 1003. This dramatic site on an island in the Golfe des Pictons offers a fascinating insight to the lives of the monks and you can still clearly see the remains of the cathedral, kitchens and refectory. Throughout the summer there are various events where music, theatre and light shows bring the history of this religious site back to life.

Abbaye de Niel sur l?Autise is another example of a well preserved 10th century monastery. Scenography, lighting and 3D effects are used to create an immersive experience for visitors. There are shows from Wednesdays to Sunday in high season as well as a weekly night-time display and guides in historic costume offer tours for younger children.

Prieure de Grammont founded in 1200 is also worth a visit to explore one of the best preserved monastic sites in France. Go on a Monday evening in July or August to hear haunting evening vigils of ancient music.

2.??? Explore medieval castles

There are lots of chateaux and castles to discover in the Vendee, many harking back to medieval times. Chateau de Talmont?is a great day out with daily shows, guided tours and workshops where you can get a proper taste of life in the Middle Ages by experiencing armour and weaponry, archery, falconry, calligraphy, costumes and games of the era first hand.

Daily shows recount historic tales at Tiffauges le Chateau de Gilles de Rais in a spectacular setting high on a rocky crag. This site is home to one of the biggest collections of medieval war machines in Europe. Chateau de Pouzauges is an imposing fortress with twelve towers. See it at its atmospheric best by joining a torchlit night-time tour of the castle and medieval town, offered on Thursday evenings throughout July and August.

Lovers of mysterious tales of old won?t want to miss seeing the Melusine Tower, a watchtower that is said to have been built in a single night by the fairy Melusine. Climb the tower for spectacular views of the region and discover the magical story behind the legend at the on-site museum.

3.??? Discover millers tales

All of France is renowned for its delicious bread and the Vendee is the perfect place to get an insight into the history and heritage of the millers and bakers in the region. Visit working watermills such as Maison de la Meuriniure in Niel sur L?Autise. The mill produces wheat and buckwheat flour prized by bakers from Pouligen to La Rochelle. As well as viewing the milling process a museum gives insight into the life of a miller in the 1920s and includes a clog makers workshop, bread oven and washhouse.

Moulin des Gourmands in Saint Reverend offers guided tours of this working mill and bakery by the artisans themselves, while Petit Moulin Chateauneuf combines tours of the 300 year old family run flour mill with a play area, animal park and themed trails to keep the children happy ? they even serve freshly made pancakes! Follow up your floury adventures with a trip to La Mie Caline museum in Sallertaine where you can find out everything there is to know about bread making through the ages.

4.??? Minibeasts galore!

Get close to some of the most beautiful and fascinating insects in the animal kingdom with a trip to one of the regions dedicated wildlife centres. Maison des Libellules at Chaille sous les Ormeaux is a dragonfly discovery centre set on the banks of the River Yon. Nature walks and tranquil gardens offer visitors a chance to see these amazing insects in their natural habitat.

Ile aux Papillons at La Guerniere is a butterfly house showcasing colourful species from all over the world. Walk amongst them flying freely in the indoor tropical garden and see for yourself the magical process of butterflies emerging from their chrysalises.

Folie de Finfarine at Poiroux is an interactive museum featuring a giant beehive. Discover the secret life of bees, find out how honey is made and explore the bee garden. There are stories and treasure hunts for children and don?t miss the honey festivals taking place throughout the summer.

5.??? Attractions great and small

Experience life as a giant when you visit one of the astonishingly detailed miniature villages in the region. There are three to choose from; Vendee Miniature in Bretignolles sur Mer, a model village that includes a steam locomotive, moving water mill and windmill and around 650 tiny figures to create a typical Vendee village.

Feerie des Santons is in Beaulieu sous la Roche and includes magical villages with over 600 figurines made by some of the best ?santonniers? in France. The exhibit is updated with seasonal additions most notably at Christmas when nativity scenes and festive decorations appear.

Mini-Ville at L?Epine showcases rural French living in miniature with representations of traditional country style houses from throughout France. Materials are gathered from the region being depicted for authenticity and each scene takes up to 300 hours to create.

And if you tire of peering into tiny windows and marveling at life in miniature why not get a wild contrast with a visit to Espace des Records in Aubigny? This unique museum showcases around 50 specially made items that hold Guinness world-records for being the biggest of their kind!

6.??? Railways ? with a difference

Step back in time with a steam railway journey aboard the Chemin de Fer de la Vendee. The 2 ? hour journey winds through the beautiful Vendee countryside on a return trip from Montagne sur Sevre to Les Herbiers. During the excursion you can choose to dine in the restaurant car, an authentic Orient Express carriage complete with its original fittings. There are activities available for children and a chance to learn a bit about the way railwaymen of old lived and worked the line.

Alternatively get a unique look at the Vendee countryside travelling a 10km stretch of railway line under you own steam! The self-pedaled ?draisines? from Velorail Vendee come in 2 or 4 man sizes and the route starts and finishes in Commequiers, booking is essential and you can book in advance online.

7.??? Messing about on the rivers

The marshlands of the Vendee are a unique landscape of wetlands, canals and rivers. Get back to nature as you explore the waterways and spot local wildlife. There are lots of places to hire canoes or rowing boats for free range exploring, less confident navigators can follow a signed route such as the 5km circuit from the Marshland Discovery Centre ?Maison du Marais? at Longville sur Mer.

This two hour journey is suitable for all the family with information boards along the way about the flora and fauna you?ll see. Alternatively you can travel with a guide for a safe adventure into this fascinating environment. Guided tours are widely available from villages throughout the region. Why not try a magical night-time canoe trip at La Route du Sel in Sallertaine? Experience the silence and beauty of the marshes as you canoe into the evening. You?ll then moor up for an overnight stay that includes a champagne BBQ supper, camp out and breakfast before canoeing back to base the next morning ? a truly unforgettable experience!

And if you think rowing sounds too much like hard work there are a wide range of water craft including pedalos and electric boats on offer at Les P?tits Mousses at Saint Gilles Croix de Vie ? the electric boats are designed in different styles including a trawler, a ferry and various emergency service vehicles and are suitable for up to five passengers, perfect for some family fun on the river.

8.??? Theme park fun

Children of all ages are spoilt for choice with the amazing theme parks in the Vendee. The most impressive is probably Puy de Fou at Les Epresses that has a historical theme including knights, Vikings and Arthurian legend. The park is a full day out with plenty of rides, attractions, shows and spectacular re-enactments to enjoy.

The Indian Forest at Moutiers les Mauxfaits offers an adventurous day out with treetop trails, maxi ziplines and assault courses for all age groups.

The best waterpark is Oceanile on the Ile de Noirmoutier, there are calmer areas for young children to enjoy the water, whilst confident swimmers can try out the huge variety of water slides and rides.

If you fancy a trip to the zoo head to Zoo des Sables in Les Sables d?Olonne to explore the beautiful four hectare site that?s home to around 360 animals from around the world.

9.??? Fabulous festivals

Festivals and culture are close at hand in the Vendee with historical fetes and arts events held in most towns, chateaux and cities over the summer months.

Contact the Vendee Tourist Office for up to date information about what?s going on whilst you are staying in the area. If you are lucky you could see the Renaissance festival in Fontenay le Comte; it runs for three days in August transforming the town with street shows, concerts, equestrian displays and duels. Or try to catch some of the free street entertainment of ?Les Ricochets?, an event that runs for a few weeks in July and August bringing dance, circus acts, theatre, art and music to the town on Wednesday and Friday evenings.

If you are staying on the Atlantic coast be sure to check out ?La Deferante? festival of art and modern music. Eight towns join together to host this vibrant event made up of over a hundred shows and concerts taking place in July and August.

10. Sun, surf and sand

No holiday in the Vendee is complete without spending time at the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic coast. The fine sandy beaches are perfect for lazing in the sun, or take to the waves to enjoy some wind surfing or sailing. Water sports instruction and board hire is widely available at the main surf beaches between La Tranche and Longeville.

For something different visit Le Passage du Gois and buy or dig for cockles at low tide. Ile d?Yeu is also a great day out, take a boat ride to the island from St Gilles Croix de Vie or Fromentine and spend the day exploring the sandy beaches and rocky coves on foot or by bike.

Source: http://blog.holidayfrancedirect.co.uk/2013/07/top-10-recommendations-for-a-fun-filled-family-holiday-in-the-vendee/

http://peacenews.org/2013/07/johan-galtung-advances-ideas-for-peace-in-society-and-economics-listen-to-his-ideas-of-positive-peace-vision-of-humanity/

http://www.breakingpropertynews.com/index.php/sid/216017135/scat/d805653303cbbba8